portable & energized rides

Tern is taking 2015 seriously – these models are built from the ground up to accentuate sleekness, speed, and sex appeal.

The Tern Verge x10 is the standout model of the 2015 line, and for good reason.

It’s lighter, weighing in at 21.2 lbs, with an integrated chain retainer to prevent the chain from popping off. The new hub ands poke design improves its strength and durability, and the new hydroformed fork streamlines the entire model.

Technical specifications aside, this bike rides like lightning and folds like butter. The efficiency of pedal to tire is surreal.

Lightweight with a fast fold, the Tern Verge x10 perfected the 2014 model. The updates are subtle but make a huge impact.

With an extraordinary amount of reluctance, I finally returned the speedy Stromer ST1 electric assist bike I borrowed from NYCE wheels. And with an equal amount of regret, I am unable to make their Stromer ST2 launch party this weekend (details here). But I was still able to leave their shop yesterday with this:

I exited NYCeWheels with an electric scooter called the E-Twow Booster. Even though my focus is on vehicles that can be moved with pedals, I was fond of this immediately. The main reason is that it reminded me of when I first moved into a city eleven years ago – because one of the first things I did was buy myself an electric scooter. The brand isn’t around today as it wasn’t exactly designed in a way to give it staying power. It was heavy. It was a rough ride. It took two lead acid batteries. The folding mechanism was so wretched the company – possibly with finger-wagging from the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s – actually sent a bracket kit to buyers of this scooter to keep it from collapsing mid-ride. Worst of all, the tires featured valves that retreated into the rim like a frightened turtle in the back and bent awkwardly in the front, which made inflating them aggravating. Even worse, the tiny tubes were impossible to find if you weren’t able to seal a puncture. In less than a minute of possessing the E-Twow, I learned the company had conquered all of the things I disliked about my first scooter and put it in a very nice package.

First, the E-Twow is shockingly light at 24 pounds – quite a feat considering it has front and rear suspension. It claims a top speed of 20 miles an hour (I’ll check that out later). The folding mechanism is not only solid, but it is intelligently designed so you don’t need to stoop down and work a quick-release with both hands: with the E-Twow, when you get to your destination, you push down on the little red lever on the front with your foot while pushing the handlebars, and the whole thing folds up. So it’s built for Metro North users.

But the thing I liked the most about it out of the gate is the tires: they are airless, which means that riders will never have to worry about tire pressure, never have to use a squirrel-sized pair of pliers to retrieve a tube valve, and never have to pack several wrenches in order to change a tire. It’s about as low maintenance as you can get. No question: I have the iPhone 7 of electric scooters while my first one was the Motorola brick. Cruising back to Grand Central Terminal, I asked aloud at nearly each of the 40+ blocks “why would anyone use a car to get around the city?”

I’ll put the E-Twow through some paces and go over the technical specs in another post, but I have to say my first experience with electric scooters since Bush’s first term was a great one.

Passion is a powerful thing. When you live and breathe bikes, a snowstorm becomes a unique riding opportunity. We’ve had the Surly Krampus sitting pretty in our storefront for a month. What better way to break it in than sending it in to a blizzard?

Welcome to the Surly Krampus. This bike is a true beauty: a 29er built for speed with a custom BionX installation. With the Krampus, we were able to take the road less traveled.

Most bikes have to worry about obstructions like ice, snow, rocks, or dirt. Not the Krampus.

We were kicking up powder and climbing over massive hunks of ice at a lightning pace. There’s an exhilaration that you can only feel when you’re racing through an untouched foot of snow.

The Krampus held up perfectly in the most rigorous of tests – like when we decided to race down a steep staircase completely blanketed in ice and snow, and then climb right back up.

The coolest thing about the BionX installation on a fat bike is that neither obstructions nor steep hills can stop you.

This bike is an adventure on wheels. Surprisingly, it’s as much a city bike as it is a mountain bike. Surly has built a frame that’s as eye-catching as it is powerful, and the BionX installation upgrades the Krampus from a mountain bike to an ATV.

Like what you see? Check out the specs of the BionX conversion kit and pick up your very own here.

Eric moved to New York City two years ago to pursue an adventure, and he hasn’t slowed down since. Life in the Big Apple moves at a break-neck pace, and between work, study, and play, Eric doesn’t have any time to waste. Naturally, he’s built a speed demon to keep up.

Check out our new project, the Brompton Lookbook, where we feature a customized Brompton every two weeks. Through gorgeous photography and storytelling, we’re building a resource for Brompton lovers worldwide to check out the unique Brompton scene in New York City.

If you’re based in the area and have a beautiful Brompton of your own, shoot us an email at paul@bromptonlookbook.com.

Blaze Laser Light is one of the slickest bike lights we’ve come across here at NYCeWheels.

Waterproof, sand-blasted, and diamond cut, these lightweight metal bike lights feel sturdier than some of the bike frames we’ve encountered. The bracket is made with marine-grade steel, so rusting isn’t a concern.

The coolest part of the Blaze Laser Light is its implementation of LEDs and lasers to produce maximum visibility. An ultra-bright LED beams 300 lumens to light your path, while a direct-diode green laser cuts a bicycle insignia 6 feet in front of you to let others on the road know where you are.

The Blaze Laser Light ships in a fancy black box, equipped with a slick USB charging cord that magnetically connects to the top of the light. Red, orange, and green indicators keep you updated on the charging status .

Interested in the Blaze Laser Light for your bike? We’re going to be stocking this light on our online shop very soon, so keep an eye out!

If you’re reading this, you probably already know the name “Stromer”. Stromer’s brand presence is one of the strongest in the industry, and for good reason. Their productions are high-end, sturdy, luxury vehicles. We like to call them the BMW of electric bike manufacturers. We’ve been raving about the Stromer ST2 since we got it in stock. […]

The old adage is true: no two folding bikes are built the same. From Bromptons to Dahons to Terns, each model has its own features and quirks that make them tailored to a certain lifestyle. The IF Move is a bike that is majorly concerned with portability. Pacific Cycles has built it from the ground up […]

By: Mike from DIYBIKING.COM If you live in a four story walk-up in Greenwich Village do not – I repeat – do not buy a Stromer ST1 under any circumstances. I’m just throwing that out there. Here’s the thing: I’ve already ridden and reviewed the electric assist Brompton and Dahon Formula, and these are electric […]

When I first moved to Manhattan, I was bewildered by the amount of businessmen I saw riding scooters around Midtown. In the mean streets of New York City, why did so many people choose to scoot? Today, I grabbed an EcoReco M5 from our shop to find out. All my fears of insufficient balance, durability, […]

Here’s a guest post sent to us by Mike from DIYBIKING.COM. We love to get contributions to our blog and offer you a different perspective than just that of an employee. Thanks very much to Mike for this awesome post! So without further ado, here’s Mike’s First Impression: The Stromer ST2… So at NYCeWheels the […]